KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. –
Anthony Aguiar-Casillas volleyed home an equalizing goal inside the final 10 minutes as Oregon Tech played defending Cascade Conference champion Eastern Oregon to a 1-1 draw at the OIT Soccer Field.
The Hustlin' Owls (4-4-6, 2-4-2 CCC) earned a key point in the CCC table, as the squad has four games left in the regular-season, including next Friday's date at Corban. OIT remained unbeaten against the Mounties in the Basin, improving to 5-0-1.
"Today was a grind," said Tech manager
Sean McManamon. "Eastern made loads of formation changes and we adapted well to stick to our game plan. We knew what we needed to do and got the point. We always want three points, but to battle from behind against a quality team like EOU is a positive. The boys laid it all on the line."
OIT chased a goal for nearly 60 minutes, as Mountaineers (3-3-6, 3-2-4) all-star Henry Lopez created space outside the box in the 26th minute and rocked a 25-yard drive into the right corner of the next for a 1-0 lead. Tech was able to keep it a one-goal game as keeper
Noah Harwood made six saves and the Owls cleared another attempted off the line.
With seven minutes remaining,
Cash Cota found room just outside the box on the right side of the field, playing a ball to the top of the 6-yard-box, finding an unmarked Aguiar-Casillas, who converted the tying goal.
Tech nearly won it inside the final three minutes, as an EOU foul just outside the area allowed
Elijah Rodriguez a free kick chance, but the freshman's chance was stopped by Victor Melendez.
Eastern ended the match with a 12-7 edge on shots and took 5-of-6 corners.
